Affordable housing conversation slated

Published: Saturday, March 15, 2014 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, March 14, 2014 at 11:42 p.m.

A local study shows that workers earning less than $14.94 an hour struggle to find safe, affordable housing in Henderson County, where homelessness has been on the rise. But city leaders want to help.

The city of Hendersonville invites the public to a community conversation on affordable housing from 4-6 p.m. Monday at the city's Operations Center, 305 Williams St.

The conversation on how to better address affordable housing issues in Hendersonville is being held in conjunction with the Children and Family Resource Center's Speak Out 2014, held last month to raise awareness of the issues affecting local youth.

"The Five Promises" study, compiled by the Resource Center with the help of a host of local agencies, showed there is a two-year wait for section 8 vouchers that help citizens struggling with finances find safe housing.

"Affordable housing continues to be an issue in Henderson County, as almost half of renters and one-third of owners with mortgages in Henderson County spent 30 percent or more of their household income on housing," according to the study. "The 2013 fair market rent for a two-bedroom unit in Henderson County is $777 a month... In Henderson County, the estimated average wage for a renter is $10.03. In order to afford the fair market rent for a two-bedroom apartment at this wage, a renter must work 60 hours a week, 52 weeks a year."

<p>A local study shows that workers earning less than $14.94 an hour struggle to find safe, affordable housing in Henderson County, where homelessness has been on the rise. But city leaders want to help.</p><p>The city of Hendersonville invites the public to a community conversation on affordable housing from 4-6 p.m. Monday at the city's Operations Center, 305 Williams St.</p><p>The conversation on how to better address affordable housing issues in Hendersonville is being held in conjunction with the Children and Family Resource Center's Speak Out 2014, held last month to raise awareness of the issues affecting local youth.</p><p>"The Five Promises" study, compiled by the Resource Center with the help of a host of local agencies, showed there is a two-year wait for section 8 vouchers that help citizens struggling with finances find safe housing.</p><p>"Affordable housing continues to be an issue in Henderson County, as almost half of renters and one-third of owners with mortgages in Henderson County spent 30 percent or more of their household income on housing," according to the study. "The 2013 fair market rent for a two-bedroom unit in Henderson County is $777 a month... In Henderson County, the estimated average wage for a renter is $10.03. In order to afford the fair market rent for a two-bedroom apartment at this wage, a renter must work 60 hours a week, 52 weeks a year."</p>